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Blake Treinen‘s MRI on his right elbow came back clean — no structural damage, per Dodger Blue. The imaging confirmed what the Dodgers were hoping for: the issue is inflammation only, not ligament or tendon trouble. That’s about as good an outcome as you can get when your closer goes down with elbow problems mid-season.

Treinen was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend due to right elbow inflammation, a move that sent a ripple of concern through the fanbase for obvious reasons. Elbow injuries and relievers who throw as hard as Treinen does are a combination that keeps front offices up at night. The 38-year-old right-hander has been through serious arm trouble before — he missed the entire 2022 season after shoulder surgery and worked his way back to become one of the best relievers in baseball during the Dodgers’ 2024 championship run. That postseason, he was borderline unhittable, posting a 1.64 ERA across 11 innings while locking down high-leverage situations. He re-signed with Los Angeles and has continued to be a linchpin in the bullpen. So when the word “elbow” surfaced, the anxiety was immediate and justified.

The fact that this is inflammation and not structural damage changes the calculus entirely. Inflammation can be managed — rest, anti-inflammatories, a gradual throwing program. Structural damage would have meant a much longer timeline and potentially the end of Treinen’s season, if not more. This is the best-case scenario within a bad situation.

Still, we shouldn’t pretend this is nothing. Treinen is 38 years old with a heavy workload history, and inflammation in the elbow of a power reliever doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. The Dodgers will need to be smart about how they bring him back. Rushing him would be foolish, especially with the trade deadline approaching and the front office likely to add bullpen help regardless of Treinen’s status.

In the meantime, the bullpen has to hold things together without him. Dean McDermott was recalled when Treinen hit the IL, and he’ll get a chance to show he belongs at the major league level. The Dodgers have depth — that’s been one of the organizational strengths under Andrew Friedman — but Treinen isn’t easily replaced. He’s not just an arm; he’s a presence. The guy has closed out World Series games. That kind of experience matters in a bullpen, especially in tight games against good teams.

The bottom line: this is genuinely encouraging news. No structural damage means Treinen should be back at some point this season, and if the Dodgers manage his return carefully, he could be the late-inning weapon we need down the stretch and into October. I’ll take inflammation over a torn ligament every single day of the week.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: June 22, 2026 6:10 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers